Soko-Ban
Alternative title: "倉庫番" -- Japanese spelling
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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Soko-Ban is a classic puzzle game, the basis of numerous clones in the later years. It is set in a warehouse. On each level, the player must push crates (from square to square) to get them onto designated spots; once each crate is on a marked spot, the level is complete. Crates can only be pushed one at a time (so two crates next to each other cannot be pushed together), and cannot be pulled--so it's possible to get a crate stuck in a corner, where it cannot be retrieved! By the last levels, you must plan 40 steps in advance.

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Description from the packaging:

A Strategy Maze Game
You are in the midst of a maze with large, heavy boxes blocking the passages. Your task is to move each and every box (one by one) into a predetermined area of the room. Sound easy? A well-planned strategy is the only way you will ever successfully complete your task. The overhead three-dimensional view of the entire area enables you to contemplate the results of moves before you actually make them. You must think through your next one, two, five, or more moves to be certain your strategy is correct. One wrong move can render the puzzle unsolvable.

Start at level 1 and work your way through the 50 predesigned mazes or randomly select levels to play. Each level becomes more difficult than the previous one. When you feel really competent, challenge up to 3 other players in the competition mode. Design and save another 49 mazes of your own creation.
Scoring is based on number of moves, number of pushes, time required to complete each game and points accumulated. Top scores are automatically recorded and saved, but they can be erased.
With Soko-Ban there is always the challenge to complete just one more maze. And before you know it- you're hooked!

Features:
50 Predeigned mazes
Create and save 49 additional mazes
Single player mode or
1 to 4 player competition mode
Multiple levels of increasing difficulty
Access to all levels
Save games and tournaments
Multiple scoring systems
Top 3 scores saved for all levels

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Trivia

NEC version

The first edition of Soko-Ban was programmed in BASIC on the NEC PC-8801 computer. It had twenty levels, of which the latter ten had false walls which had to be passed through in order to solve the mazes. This feature was not retained in later ports.
Title translation

Sōkoban means "warehouse duty" in Japanese.
Awards

Power Play
1987 - #3 Best MS-DOS Game '87
